UAA 2017

[Buck O.]

I meant this year.

Ah — I could understand that. 4 Sweet 16 teams is very good, wonder when the last time that happened was. NESCAC had 3 in 2010 with Amherst, Middlebury, and Bowdoin, and the Polar Bears went to the Final 4.

Of course, Hopkins used to be in the UAA, so that would have made five.

[blooter442]

That's not a national title to which the UAA can lay claim. The UAA wasn't founded until a decade later.

That is true, and I have pointed that exact point out elsewhere – but it still counts as a team (currently) in the UAA having won a national title. Regardless, that augments my position that the UAA needs to be more successful on the national stage.

[blooter442]

Interesting to note that, while Lopez has (rightly) gathered a number of individual accolades over the past year or so, Koh -- who got both goals for Chicago last night -- is excellent in his own right. Both he and Lopez were All-UAA First Team their freshman years, and Koh actually got UAA Rookie of the Year that season. Last year, he was a bit quieter, but still notched very respectable totals of 5 goals and 6 assists, so he is still a game-changer for the Maroons (as he reminded us last night).

[Mr.Right]

2 very dangerous players and 2 of the more exciting players to watch in D3. Along with Adeosun, Romero and the other kid(cannot think of his name) they are a real formidable outfit. That being said I truly cannot wait for this match v Calvin. After watching Calvin destroy TMC and then dispatch of a very quality JCU side was extremely impressive this past weekend. Any other year and that JCU side with all those talented seniors would be in the Elite 8 / Final 4 and Calvin just took their best and most talented players completely out of the game. Marinaro who had a ton of space against OWU the day prior had about 1 second when he received the ball before a Calvin defender was right in his mug. They man marked him and took him right out the game and it killed JCU's fluidity in the match. You can bet Koh will be receiving the same treatment as Marinaro got and that will immediately impact the whole game. I will be interested to see if Koh and his teammates can deal with that pressure more than JCU did. My hunch is they will not but they have an even better striker in Lopez. JCU's Lombardo while a fantastic player is not as dangerous as Lopez is in the air. On the carpet he is faster and just as skilled but Lopez is much better in the air. Chicago will be more threatening than JCU was in the air which could be the difference in a tight game on a set piece. Again, just another type of matchup to watch for this weekend.

[blooter442]

Khattab of Emory has to be in with a shout for All-American. 8 goals and 4 assists, including 4 UAA goals (one in the win at Chicago) and the winner against Lynchburg. Regardless, he has really had a breakout year.

[blooter442]

While I'm fully aware that this is hypothetical, as both teams have very tough tests ahead of them, imagine a Brandeis-Chicago final. That would be an excellent game. Moreover, if this year's winner is to come from the UAA, it'd be the first title the UAA could lay claim to -- as Gregory Sager and I have said, Brandeis' 1976 triumph was well before the UAA was formed. As of right now, though, Brandeis is still the only UAA school to have won the whole thing.

Regardless, I'm happy that the UAA has started to improve its showings in the NCAA Tournament. In particular, Chicago's exit last year was unexpected, but the Maroons have responded well and shown that they belong in the discussion of national powerhouses. For its part, Brandeis has emerged from being a Sweet 16 ('12, '13, '15) and Elite 8 ('14) team to being well and truly among the mix in the national discussion in the Final 4 ('16, '17). Of course, nothing is a given, and Brandeis' run of success is by no means guaranteed to continue, but the Judges have certainly put themselves on the map. Additionally, the fact that Rochester and Emory both had better-than-expected runs certainly speaks to the depth of the conference as well. I will now agree with NEsoccerfan that it is the strongest conference this year.

[blooter442]

I'm not sure that this will be up to the standards of Mr.Right's overviews of seniors, but I figured that -- now that their season is over -- it might be worth looking at the seniors on the Judges' roster.

Ocel: What can I say that hasn't already been said? Undoubtedly the team's best player the past two years, and filled the leadership role very well after Lanahan graduated. Broke his leg freshman year during pre-season but came in well as a sophomore, played a huge role in Brandeis winning the UAA his junior year, and making its first Final 4 in 32 years his senior year. This fifth year, he was even better -- 4 goals and 12 assists, the latter of which shattered the career school assists record which had stood for 40+ years. He could do it all: pass, dribble, defend, take set pieces, and score. Had the physical side of his game as well and didn't get bullied off the ball very often, and you always had the sense he would make something happen when he got the ball. I have recounted the anecdote of the time I was told he would be better than his brother, who had just been named All-American by both D3soccer.com (1st Team) and the NSCAA (3rd Team) at CF. I thought there was no way that could be true, and even now I can say that his brother had an excellent career and was a huge part of the program's resurgence from a mid-table side into a regional power. However, as a three-time NSCAA All-American (1st Team this year) and two D3soccer.com AA honors in his career thus far, Josh was, in my opinion, the best player I've seen come through the Judges' ranks since I started watching them 6 years ago.

Hernandez: Probably my favorite Brandeis player to watch. Gritty, passionate, physical, and had a very good workrate. Up until his arrival, Brandeis had struggled physically and athletically in big games, and while they often had the ball they would get bullied by bigger, more athletic sides (e.g. NESCACs, Rochester). During that time, I remember seeing a number of NESCAC fans discounting Brandeis, and I can't say I blamed them based on the Judges' results in those games: 0-3 against Tufts and Williams (2) in 2012 and 2013, and 0-2 in the Tournament. Since the start of 2014, however, Brandeis has gone 4-2-2 against the NESCAC, 2-0-2 in NCAAs (both ties were PK victories over Amherst) and 2-2 against Rochester vs. no wins between 2011 and 2013. Hernandez is a huge part of that change. As a freshman, he came in and played in some big games in midfield. I remember the Tufts game in 2014, a 2-0 win for the Judges, I showed up around halfway through the first half and it was 0-0, but Tufts had most of the ball. Hernandez was in the game, running about, and I remember thinking 'this is a big game for a freshman to be playing in.' I then remember thinking, 'wow, this kid can battle.' He wasn't necessarily the star that day, but what I did see was that the team looked different with him in it, and while he didn't have the same numbers or accolades as Ocel, he will be an equally big loss.

Vinson: A heck of a player. He transferred in last year from D1 Loyola-Chicago, and saw some time at LB, although he was a bit short of match fitness from what I knew, which is understandable, as I believe he sat out the year previous. Either way, he started at LB pretty much all of last year, and was excellent. Physical, skilled, and had great positional sense. Barely put a foot wrong, and made some big tackles in the match last night, as well as scoring a goal to give the Judges the lead on the hour mark. When the year started, I honestly wasn't that confident that Brandeis would even make the NCAA Tournament, as the Judges lost both starting CBs and outside forwards to graduation. However, it was a very astute move to bring both outside backs, Vinson and DePietto, into the middle, and they both did very well (DePietto did his ACL halfway through the season, and I believe he was just early enough to have another year of eligibility). As for Vinson, he did fantastic alongside new partner Alex Walter, who as a sophomore stepped up very well, but Vinson was the real leader back there. Not much got past him and Hennessy on that left side. I believe he has another year of eligibility, although I am not sure if he plans to use it. It would be great to have him back for another year.

Flahive: When Flahive was a freshman and was getting time at outside forward, I thought, 'this kid has some potential.' However, I wasn't sure that he could step up and be the "main man" in terms of shouldering the scoring responsibility. Some kids can come in as freshmen, play really well alongside talented upperclassmen, but really struggle when they are the ones who have to provide the goods. Flahive did not have that problem. As a sophomore, he took over up top, and had some big goals, including two in NCAA play. The Judges had trouble scoring that year, but Flahive was certainly reliable for the big goal. Last year, he had some big goals, too, and his winner against MIT with 47 seconds left ended the Judges' 28-day winless run and proved a turning point in their season. His numbers were never All-American caliber, but he played wherever he needed to help the team, worked his butt off, and scored some big, big goals, none bigger than the 2OT winner against Tufts in the Elite 8.

Lynch: A lot like Flahive in that he could play all across the front. He had some really bad luck with injuries, I can't remember in particular, although I do know he missed big parts of (at least) 2 seasons. He had a 5th-year campaign to remember, getting some big winners, including an OT victory against WPI, the first in a 3-0 win over WCONN, and the winners in 1-0 NCAA games against RUN and Drew. A lot like the elder Ocel in the respect that he wasn't necessarily the fastest or most skilled but he had a killer eye for goal and wasn't afraid to put his body on the line to score some big goals. As an aside, Brandeis soccer will be hit with another big loss from that family: his dad. I stood next to him at quite a few games, he is a riot, and it would be awesome to see him at a game or two in the future (I myself only got to around half of the Judges' games this year). Better yet, in 4 of the 5 home games I stood next to him, Mikey scored.

Berg: Often the first man off the bench for the Judges, Berg worked his butt off for the Judges wherever he was needed, usually in the defensive half of the field. A real utility player. Scored some big goals, too. I did not know Berg personally at all, and he seemed a quiet kid when I did see him. What I will remember Berg most for, though, is the relationship he formed with Brandeis' TEAM Impact player, Austin Flateau, a 10-year-old with epilepsy who was drafted by the Judges before last year's run to the Final 4. I guess Berg was injured in the first part of last year, and he and Austin spent a ton of time together on the bench, and while everyone on the team enjoyed Austin, Berg and Austin became particularly close. When Austin got drafted (there is a YouTube video somewhere), he was one of the people who gave speeches and his remarks were very sincere and heartfelt, and he mentioned him in his Final 4 speech as well. I have to be honest that he wasn't the kind of kid who I necessarily thought would be good with those types of kids, but it is genuinely heartening when you see someone surprise you like that, and it is evident that both he and Austin provided an equally positive influence in the other's life. I'd give him a +K if I was able.

Miskin: Hasn't played a ton over the last few years due to injuries, but very good in possession when he is healthy. Very technically sound. Scored a nice header against Bowdoin in the 1-0 win in the 2014 NCAA Tournament, his first collegiate goal, and the only goal in last year's win over Haverford. Not sure if he will be back for a 5th year, or even if he is eligible, although I think he might well be.

Espiga: Didn't play much, but I don't think it was due to a lack of talent -- I just think he had some really good players in the spots where he played up top. Provided a spark off the bench.

Ibas: Technically proficient but perhaps undersized compared to Ocel and Hernandez in the middle of the park. Reliable when called upon, though.

Ponte: Much like Ibas, although taller, a pretty reliable performer when in the game. Usually was brought in to give Ocel or Hernandez a rest. Solid in possession.

Woodhouse: Last but not least, the goalkeeper. A shame to see his career end in such heartbreaking fashion, but it's pretty clear the Judges would never have been in the Final 4 without him. He stepped in his sophomore year, won the starting job, and never looked back. I was initially somewhat hesitant about him in net, as he used to have a bit of trouble commanding his area and was pretty eager in coming off his line, but he improved massively in both of those areas. As a sophomore, he overcame a somewhat uncertain start and had a really good second half of the year, including big saves in the crucial UAA road game against Emory. Last year, he had a fantastic year, and stood on his head against Calvin in the semis, and kept his team in the game. This year, after a strong start to the year, he broke his hand halfway through the season, and while Greg Irwin did well I was somewhat uncertain about how the Judges would do in the postseason. When I walked down to the field for the 1st Round against WCONN and saw Woodhouse out there, I was almost convinced I was seeing things. As it was, he had his biggest game of the Tournament the next night against RUN, saving a PK and making two other jaw-dropping saves on seemingly sure goals. Every bit the equal of Minchoff and Graffy during their tenures between the pipes for Brandeis (I did not see Bracken, but he also had a good career for the Judges). A big loss, but seeing that Irwin did well in net this year in his few appearances, I am somewhat optimistic.

[Mr.Right]

Fantastic Work Bloots...I will digest at Halftime of the Women's Final

[Mr.Right]

Digested...Really well done Bloots..I would have to agree with most of it..I thought your comments on Berg were fantastic and will have to find the youtube video as that would be great to watch..I am really surprised though that you thought Ocel was the best of the best that you have seen play for Brandeis..I meanyou are talking about a ton of talent the last 6-7 years come through the program..That is a real compliment and would be curious if Margolis agrees with you..real curious

[blooter442]

Digested...Really well done Bloots..I would have to agree with most of it..I thought your comments on Berg were fantastic and will have to find the youtube video as that would be great to watch..I am really surprised though that you thought Ocel was the best of the best that you have seen play for Brandeis..I meanyou are talking about a ton of talent the last 6-7 years come through the program..That is a real compliment and would be curious if Margolis agrees with you..real curious

Certainly a fair point in that they have had a ton of talent in the last 6-7 years, both with guys like S. Ocel, Applefield, Russo, Lanahan, and Savonen who were the headliners, as well as guys like R. Lynch, Eisenbies, and Brondoli who didn't necessarily get the same press as the others but were equally important. That said, in terms of four-year contribution and performance levels, I think J. Ocel is in his own class. A starter from Day 1, a leader, and 3xAA and 4xAll-UAA 1st Team. Wouldn't be surprised if Margolis had a different opinion — often times, coaches have a better appreciation for talent than the casual observer like myself.

[blooter442]

As an aside, the three guys I would say came the closest to J. Ocel in terms of performance are Lanahan, Theo Terris who was a CM and graduated in 2012, and Savonen. R. Lynch and Applefield were certainly excellent players, too, but unselfishly went from being high school CMs to wingbacks in college. I think both could have done equally well at CM, but they put the needs of the team above themselves.

[blooter442]

And here's the video of Berg. Great speech by Coven, too.

[Mr.Right]

As an aside, the three guys I would say came the closest to J. Ocel in terms of performance are Lanahan, Theo Terris who was a CM and graduated in 2012, and Savonen. R. Lynch and Applefield were certainly excellent players, too, but unselfishly went from being high school CMs to wingbacks in college. I think both could have done equally well at CM, but they put the needs of the team above themselves.

As an infrequent Brandeis viewer I would go with Soboff in my Top 3...He was a fun player to watch...

[Mr.Right]

And here's the video of Berg. Great speech by Coven, too.

That is fantastic..Great stuff

[blooter442]

As an infrequent Brandeis viewer I would go with Soboff in my Top 3...He was a fun player to watch...

Ah, yes, Soboff! How did I forget him?! Must be getting old. He belongs in there, too, for sure, but I'd still pick Ocel.